1934 Diamond Matchbooks Silver Border

Here’s another gem that has somehow survived the test of time. Released during the middle of the Great Depression of the 1930s, this article somehow withstood likely a considerable number of life threatening circumstances. As you can see with this particular example, there are noticeable stress marks. Even with staple holes and the strike surface completely removed, this matchbook still holds as a collectors item. Examples from this 1934 Diamond Matchbooks Silver Border set are very scarce items in today’s market. Even more scarce are those with the strike surface still intact. Further, those matchbooks still possessing matches. No matter, these are relatively rare items. The size is just as you’d expect, typical, perhaps a bit smaller than the average sized matchbook found in present day manufacturing.

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Set Information:

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, matchbook collecting was immensely popular. At an average cost of two for a penny, matchbooks were affordable for many and as such began to feature photos and artwork to attract additional buyers. Toward the end of the 1930s, a number of sports-related runs were issued by Diamond Match Co., of New York City. The first was a 200-matchbook, baseball-themed set featuring silver frames around the player photos, which became known to collectors as “silver border.” The matchbooks are about 1-1/2″x4-1/8″ (open). Sepia player images are printed on matchbook borders in either green, blue, orange, or red (although it’s unconfirmed if all players have a red border variation). Each of the colors are parallels of same 200 matchbooks. If a complete red set was actually issued, the total variation run across the four colors would total 800 unique matchbooks. Player names and team names are printed on the matchbook spines with career summaries and images of two bats, a glove, and a ball on the backs. Matchbooks are often collected with the matches removed and the strike area intact. Since these matchbooks don’t contain numbers, the checklist is listed alphabetically.

Checklist: